Nearly four decades after he led the Thomson High School Bulldogs to their first state championship, Paul Leroy has announced plans to seek a seat on the McDuffie County Board of Education. He plans to run for the Super District 2 seat, currently held by board Chairman Tommy Phelps.

"This is my opportunity to serve the McDuffie County Board of Education -- the county's Number One industry," Mr. Leroy told The McDuffie Mirror. "I want to make sure our young people getting the most out of the tax dollars they possibly can."

Mr. Phelps said changes in his position at Citizens Bank spurred his decision to leave the board. He's been a member of the school board for the last four years.

"My load overall has changed," he said. "I've just gone wide-open for the last two years, no only with school board activities, but with church activities also."

Mr. Leroy's campaign manager, Ralph Starling, said he owes a debt of gratitude to "Coach."

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't use something I learned from him," Mr. Starling said. "And it is not just me. There are thousands and thousands from across the country that feel the same way."

Mr. Leroy coached the Bulldogs from 1962-1968 and moved back to town three years ago. He spent 23 years in education before moving to the private sector.

He now splits his time between working for an architectural door company and the traveling Ray Guy Kicking Academy.

UP FOR GRABS

Qualifying for the following McDuffie County Board of Education seats runs from June 28 until July 2. The election will be held Nov. 2